Seasoned

seasoned A p r il 2016

Over 50 & living the good life!

Mental health

How to handle fear

Local event

The Woman’s Club Home & Garden Tour

Dancing to good health

Local ballroom dance lessons provide exercise and fun

seasoned A monthly publication of The Eagle, 729 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan, TX 77802 PUBLISHER Crystal DuPre Photos contributed by The Woman’s Club Above: Living room of the Kelly family residence and (below, right) dining room of the Hannigans’ home.

Both homes are part of The Woman’s Club Home & Garden Tour. See story, page 8.

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DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING Sean Lewis

DISPLAY ADVERTISING MANAGER Linda Brinkman SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR/ PUBLICATION DESIGNER Shauna Lewis

shauna.lewis@theeagle.com

Contents

The effects of fear and how to handle it A look at men’s health issues: wellness and prevention Could your brain store all the information on the web?

Feature story: Dancing to better health The Woman’s Club Home & Garden Tour 10 tricks to thwart credit card thieves Calendar: Local events for seniors

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The effects of fear and how to handle it

Fear can be ugly. It can come out of nowhere and hijack us in an instant. Its intensity can terrify and paralyze us.

Fear can derail our lives and suck the vitality from our hearts.

On the flip side, fear can be a good thing. It can alert us to danger or an imminent threat. Fear can give us perspective and even save our lives.

The problem is most of us don’t deal well with this frequent visitor. It can surprise us and invade quickly. Other times fear can be sneaky, flying under the radar, undetected, exerting its influence incognito.

Over the long haul, it can take up residence Gary Roe in the heart and begin Hospice to exercise control over us. It can skew our vision and rule our decision-making.

Fear can be powerful Here are some ways fear can display its power: • It can produce anxiety and even panic.

• It can make us irritable and more prone to anger.

• It can drive us to become workaholics, frantically trying to keep up with whomever we’re comparing ourselves to this week.

• It can turn us into subtle (or not so subtle) manipulators, desperately trying to keep bad stuff from happening.

• It can make us obsessive about almost anything, including our appearance, bodies, health, finances or relationships.

Fear tends to focus us on the future and the unknown: • We fear what will or might happen.

• We fear illness or disability.

• We fear aging and the losses that accompany it.

• We fear the loss of people and relationships.

• We fear the tough decisions we see looming ahead involving those we love.

• We fear death or the dying process.

• We fear being alone.

Over time, we can even begin to be afraid of fear itself.

Fear affects each of us differently T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

can turn the tide in your favor.

2. Acknowledge and identify the fear. As you are breathing deeply, acknowledge the fear. Simply stating out loud, “I feel afraid,” or “I feel anxious,” has remarkable power.

After you acknowledge the fear, identify it. “I’m afraid of what will happen in the future,” “I’m frightened of what the doctor might say” or “I’m afraid for my children.”

Once exposed, fear loses some of its power.

3. Take action. Once you acknowledge and identify the fear, take action. This might involve any number of things: • Contact the loved one you’re concerned about.

• Make a doctor’s appointment to check out that new pain or concern.

• Share with someone you trust who will support you and can give perspective.

• Process your fear, thoughts and emotions through writing in a journal.

• Make a counseling appointment

Some of us seem to battle fear more than others. The amount and intensity of the fear we deal with is due to a variety of factors: • Our personal backgrounds.

Some were raised in steady, safe and loving environments, while others suffered through abuse, neglect, danger and dysfunction. Past difficulties, losses and trauma can play a large role in how sensitive and prone we are to fear.

• Our mental and emotional make-up. Each of us is unique. We have different personalities and preferences. Some are sensitive, while others are stoic or even callous. Some of our emotional wiring is related to life experience, while some seems to naturally be part of who we are regardless of circumstances.

• Our current life situation.

This includes our physical and mental health, age, financial situation and relational support system. Our current circumstances can have great impact on our fear level.

• Our worldview. How we see the world determines much of how we live.

If we see ourselves as being in charge and in control (in the sense that we are responsible for everything that happens to and around us), chances are our fear and anxiety level will be high.

Interestingly, fear also resides at the other end of the spectrum, where some of us see ourselves as helpless victims who lose no matter what.

Fear is a reflex. This world is full of triggers. When something pushes our buttons, there is an immediate emotional reflex of some kind. Reflexes are natural. The goal isn’t to avoid fear altogether, but to meet it in a healthy and productive way. We may not be able to stop fear from coming, but we can decide how to respond after the initial reflex.

How to handle the fear that comes Here are three suggestions: 1. Breathe deeply. Breathing in deeply through the nose, and then out slowly through the mouth activates the parasympathetic nervous system and starts a calming effect. Breathing deeply and regularly naturally slows the mind and the emotions.

Fear can take over quickly, driving reactions and decisions you later regret. Pausing and breathing deeply

when fear becomes chronic or debilitating.

• Get out of your own head and out of the house. Engage with the outside world.

Bad things take place. Tragedies occur. People leave. We hurt and struggle. These things are part of living in this challenging world.

Using fear to live well Fear is here to stay. Living well isn’t about trying to avoid it, but rather learning to live more in peace and less in fear over time. When fear comes knocking, breathe deeply.

Acknowledge it. Identify the fear, being as specific as you can. Then, take action. Rather than letting it rule you, use fear to live well.

Gary Roe is an author, speaker and chaplain with Hospice Brazos Valley.

His latest book, “Please Be Patient, I’m Grieving” is available on Amazon and at Hospice Brazos Valley. Contact him at 979-821-2266, groe@hospicebrazosvalley. org or at www.garyroe.com.

2015

April 5, 2016 | 3

A look at men’s health issues: wellness and prevention

Three of the top issues for men today are prostate, bone health and male menopause. I would like to discuss each of these briefly.

Prostate problems The three main prostate problems affecting most men are: inflammation (prostatitis), prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and prostate cancer.

1. Inflammation or prostatitis – can be caused by a bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics before it gets worse.

Leon Bradway If there is no change Physical Therapy in symptoms within three months, then request to see a physical therapist who specializes in men’s health problems.

Some physical therapists are specially credentialed to evaluate, assess and treat men’s health problems.

2. Enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) often comes with age. The main cause is still debated, but studies suggest that BHP can be caused by the decrease in testosterone as men age or by the accumulation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a more potent type of testosterone.

3. Prostate cancer results when the prostate gland cells begin to grow uncontrollably and create a tumor.

Causes are often linked to age and genetics. There is also a link between prostate cancer and diets high in saturated fats. Prostate cancer can be detected through blood testing, the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.

Generally, it is recommended that all men over 50 have a PSA test and if anyone in your family has had prostate cancer, you should be tested at the age of 40. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions. It is best to be safe.

Symptoms of prostate problems may include: • trouble urinating, • frequent urges to urinate, • blood in the urine, a weak urine stream, and • pain in the groin, pelvic area, back or abdomen.

Is there anything else I should know?

• The urethra passes through the prostate, and if the prostate is

enlarged, it could begin to squeeze the urethra. The pressure on the urethra can lead to any of the problems listed above and/or cause more problems such as a urinary tract infections, kidney or bladder problems, etc.

• An enlarged prostrate can be treated with medication, surgery or laser treatments.

• Some research indicates that a decrease in saturated fats (whole milk products, cream, fatty meats, pizza, sausage) can help prevent prostatic problems.

• Early detection is key to prevention. Regular annual physicals and PSA tests starting at age 50 or sooner, if someone in your family has had prostate cancer, are essential. Let me give you an example to encourage you to see your primary care doctor at least one time a year. A 46-year-old man began to experience lower back pain.

He had not visited a doctor in several years. He was an auto mechanic and assumed that his back pain was related to his normal aging process and the physical labor required to perform his job. The nagging back pain went on for more than a year before he finally decided to see a doctor. Unfortunately, by that time he was diagnosed with advanced stage prostate cancer. He died within four years.

Bone health Most men have no idea that they are susceptible to osteoporosis. Just like women they can suffer fractures and broken bones, doing things they have always been able to do without injury. Why? Testosterone deficiency is a large factor. Testosterone is a major source of estrogen in men, as well as to preserve bone density and build bone mass. Bone health can also be affected by lack of exercise, lack of adequate vitamin D intake and lack of adequate calcium – which can all lead to osteoporosis. If you smoke, your risk increases substantially as research shows that smokers are at higher risk of bone fractures. Certain medications can also decrease bone density (corticosteroids, prostate medications, anti-seizure medications).

What can you do to preserve bone health? It’s very important that men (over the age of 40) spend at least 30 minutes a day, four to five times a week performing some type of physical activity. Ideally, two of those days should be working on resistance training. If you smoke, seriously

4 | April 5, 2016

take steps to stop smoking. Smoking in your later years can affect your heart, lungs and body inflammatory response. Maintain a balanced diet (fruits, vegetables, fish and chicken) with proper amounts of calcium and vitamin D. Don’t stuff yourself at meals and cut way back on the amount of sugar consumption you eat every day.

Stuffing ourselves at each meal and eating too much sugar will create more long-term health problems.

Male menopause Male menopause is defined as the part of the male aging process where testosterone levels decline.

Unlike female menopause, there is no distinct time period. Testosterone decline can last much longer. Male menopause is marked by fatigue, body weakness, mood changes, depression, low energy levels, low sex drive and weight gain. Male menopause can be detected through blood hormone tests, after other common medical problems are ruled out. Talk to your physician about additional laboratory tests if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. Aging requires many vitamins, minerals and

nutrients to continue to perform their function within our organs and tissue structures. However, medications, surgeries, stress and chronic diseases can dramatically decrease our body’s vitamin, mineral and nutrient level.

The bottom line Men, talk to your doctors if you have or are experiencing changes in what is “normal” or if you experience any of the symptoms discussed in this article. Too often, men are reluctant to go to the doctor for help and even more reluctant to discuss their personal problems. Waiting too long can be a costly mistake. The best solution is early detection. In addition, get adequate physical activity, eat a balanced diet, consume adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium, and spend some time outdoors for daily sunshine (avoid the hot sun between 11a.m. and 3 p.m.). To live a long, independent, and healthy life we have to make good choices! We have to work at it.

Leon Bradway is a doctor of physical therapy and director of the Sports, Back and Pain Management Clinic. See www. bvphysicaltherapy.com.

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Could your brain store all the information on the web?

The title sounds outrageous. But supporting data comes from research at the most prestigious Salk Institute.

Other researchers had made enormous storagecapacity estimates for brains, but this new estimate is 10 times greater. The estimate is on the order of petabytes, as much as the entire World Wide Web. How does anybody come up with such estimates? What is the basic premise? First, memory is quantified in terms of number of bits of information that can be stored and recovered.

Dr. Bill Klemm In the case of the brain, the The Memory Medic question is how much information can be stored in a synapse, the communicating junction between neurons. Size and operational strength of a synapse are the key variables: strength can be measured in bits, and strength correlates with number and size of synapses, each of which appears under high magnification as a round bead attached to the supporting neuronal membrane. The size of the bead is a proxy for synaptic strength because synaptic strength is created by more molecular machinery for mediating the chemicals used in synaptic communication.

In the newborn brain, there are relatively few “beads,” but these increase in number and size as the baby grows and learns things. Sadly, in old age, many of these beads disappear unless the brain is kept very active.

In the Salk study of rat brains, electron

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micrographs of the memory-forming structure, the hippocampus, allowed 3-D reconstruction and detection of the diameters of synapses.

The investigators found that a small cube of brain tissue contained 26 different bead sizes, each associated with a distinct synaptic strength. The authors state that this equates to an approximate 4.7 bits of information at each synapse. Multiply 4.7 times the estimated trillions of synapses and neurons in the brain and you get phenomenal storage capacity.

While I marvel at the elegant complexity of these research methods, I think the interpretations are a bit simplistic. There are some caveats that the authors overlooked. For one, an assumption is made that the number of storage bits equals the logarithm of the number of bead sizes.

The “bit” is a unit of information in digital communications. Information theory holds that one bit is the probability of a random variable that is 0 or 1, or more loosely defined as present or absent.

One has to take some liberties to apply this concept to memory storage in the brain, because the brain is not a digital computer. It is an analog, biological computer.

Then there is the problem that the hippocampus deals only with forming declarative and episodic memories, not procedural memories like touch typing or playing the piano. Thus, the storage capacity, whatever it is, is not estimated for procedural memories. Secondly, declarative and episodic memories are not stored in the hippocampus, but rather stored in a distributed fashion throughout the

brain. Since synaptic measures were made only on hippocampal tissue, there are no data for the rest of the brain.

But there is a larger issue. How does one know how many bits it takes to represent different memories? Not all memories are the same and surely they don’t all require the same number of storage bits.

Actually, the exact number of bits of information that brains can store is rather irrelevant. By any measure, common experience teaches that nobody utilizes all their memory capacity. Moreover, the amount of information a given person stores varies profoundly depending on such variables as motivation to remember things, use of mnemonics and level of education. The question that needs answering, given that we have vast amounts of unused storage capacity, is “Why don’t we remember more than we do?” Books like my “Memory Power 101” provide some practical answers.

Source: Bartol, Thomas M. et al. (2015).

Neuroconnectomic upper bound on the variability of synaptic plasticity. eLIfe. Nov. 30. http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.10778 Dr. Klemm is a senior professor of neuroscience at Texas A&M University. His site is thankyoubrain. blogspot.com. To know more about aging well, check out his e-books available at Smashwords. com. His “Improve Learning and Memory” blog is at thankyoubain.blogspot.com.

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April 5, 2016 | 5

Dancing to b

By BROOKE AMADOR

Local ballroom dance less

Special to The Eagle

From booming quicksteps and flashy arm flicks, to long, flowing movements and continuous twirls, the excitement and challenge of ballroom dancing is inadvertently putting some baby boomers on a track to health and wellness.

Once considered poster children for fitness, according to an AARP article, a 2013 study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are far less fit than their parents were at the same age, due to higher rates of chronic disease, more disability, minimal physical activity and lower self-rated health. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that boomers are likely to welcome innovative healthcare options to help keep their medical costs down.

Turns out, ballroom dancing could be just what the doctor ordered. And, because of prime time television’s dance-themed reality shows “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” many boomers have done the cha cha right off the couch and into dance class.

“Some people are hooked before they even come through the door,” said Ray Garcia, who, along with his wife Shelly Gallaway, own and operate Brazos Ballroom Dance Studio in College Station. “They saw something on TV or they saw someone dancing somewhere, and they want to try,” he said.

Social dancing primarily focuses on the American style of ballroom dance, instead of the more competition-focused International style, broken up into two categories: American Smooth: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz; and American Rhythm: Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo and Samba.

Dancing is good for the heart and brain, builds strength, helps with balance and coordination, leads to a greater overall sense of well-being — and it’s fun, according to a local dance instructor.

Dr. Susan Quiring, owner of Susan’s Ballroom Dance Studio in College Station, has instructed ballroom and Country Western dance lessons for more than 20 years.

“Ballroom dancing challenges your mind and your body, so for whatever reason you want to learn to dance, the exercise becomes an added benefit,” Quiring said. “Dance works so well, whether your issue is depression, fatigue, chronic illness, or maybe you have osteopenia like I once did. Dancing, in study after study, has been shown to be beneficial with so many health issues.”

Ballroom dance offers a vast array of styles and steps, and it qualifies as an aerobic workout. Depending on the step, a 30-minute dance class burns between 130 and 250 calories — about the same as jogging, and is a whole-body workout, according to WebMD. com. Aerobic exercise and strength training become increasingly important as people age.

“As we get older, our shoulders start rounding forward, and it’s generally because our back muscles and our core are not as strong,” Quiring said. “In dancing we are learning to pull up our rib cage, work our core, work our back muscles. As our back muscles and core become stronger, we have better posture. This stabilizes the body, and a person is less likely to fall,” she said.

During later stages in life, the duration and frequency of physical activity are more important than the intensity, stated Dr. Ferdinand Venditti, cardiologist and president of the Albany Med faculty physicians, in an article on nbcnews.com. “And if you enjoy it, you’re more likely to do it a lot,” he said.

Dancing helps keep the mind sharp When College Station resident, Jennifer Baker, who was at a recent class at Susan’s Ballroom Dance Studio, branched out into the world of ballroom dancing after 20 years of Country Western dancing, she didn’t realize her decision was literally a probrainer. A 21-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine presented evidence naming dancing as the only physical activity associated with a lower risk of dementia.

Baker’s family has a history of dementia, and as she gets older, she says, “I have to think about stuff like that.”

Lisa Alecxih, senior vice president of The Lewin Group and director of the Lewin Center for Aging and Disability Policy, stated in an article on WebMD. com that while medical science improvements allow people to live longer, a long life is the “main risk factor” for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Results of the 21-year study indicate that dancing is better than other activities for improving mental capabilities because it integrates several brain functions at once, increasing connectivity. Dancing simultaneously involves kinesthetic, rational, musical and emotional processes.

Other studies indicate that dance may be an effective alternative to traditional exercise for addressing areas of concern in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, autism, depression and other psychological disorders.

Dancing isn’t just for couples As people age, social interaction becomes more important, according to a Harvard-based article. A rich web of human relationships enhances health and stimulates the mind and memory.

David Villarreal, of College Station, said he

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unintentionally became involved i friend about wanting to learn to da in the Rain.” He attends classes at Newly single, he was looking to fill walked into his first class. That wa “When I first started, I was very aspect to ballroom, and that was a to taking dancing,” Villarreal said “And now, I’ve really enjoyed m good feeling in that.”

Baker almost didn’t start ballro were required. ”They’re not,” she get to know each other. It’s a great

Participants dance during a recent class at Susan’s Ba T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

better health

sons offer exercise and fun

in dancing after he joked with a ance like Fred Astaire in “Singing Susan’s Ballroom Dance Studio. l extra time on his hands when he as almost seven years ago. y intimidated. There is a social a very fun, unexpected side benefit d. mastering a skill set. There’s a

oom because she thought partners said. “We change partners and t social activity.”

Dancing is for everyone “Never think that you can’t dance because you can,” Gallaway said. “It doesn’t matter what challenges you have.”

With nearly 30 years of dance experience between her and her husband, they each teach a variety of dance classes for all ages at their studio.

“If someone says they have two left feet, that’s great because what you see is them taking on a challenge, overcoming obstacles and finding out they can dance,” she said.

Gallaway is hearing impaired, and as a competitive dancer and instructor, she knows what it means to overcome challenges.

She recalled one of their students, an older gentleman and Army veteran who was missing four toes, and how difficult it was for him to walk. But he still learned to dance.

“It really is for everyone: all ages, body types, physiques, wheelchair bound, hearing and sight challenged -- just anyone,” Gallaway said.

“There’s a way to train your body and your mind and your soul, and that’s what I like about dancing,” she said. “You get people who have no confidence. And they start dancing, and they just kind of blossom like a butterfly.”

Dance instructors say men can be the bigger challenge in learning to dance.

On the first night of the College Station Parks and Recreation Ballroom Dance class, April 5, Dr. Frank Ashley, also known as “Dr. Dance,” acknowledges that his male students may have been bribed to be there, but he promises no pressure and a lot of fun.

Ashley has found that once a man tries ballroom dancing, and figures out he can do it, he likes the structure, and sometimes turns out to be more into it than his wife.

Dancing connects people to their partners Everything comes out on the dance floor, according to local dancers. From frustration and playfulness, to chivalry and passion, dancing with a partner allows for self-expression and discovery.

Empty nesters Abigail and Randy McDougal of College Station, who attend classes at Susan’s Ballroom Dance Studio, may find their home a Photo by Aaron Amador little quieter these days, but said their schedules continue to pull the two in opposite directions. allroom Dance Studio in College Station.

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“We want to walk this new chapter with a renewed emphasis on our relationship. Dancing allows us to do something together that we both enjoy,” she said.

Lanore Dixon, of Bryan, another class member at Susan’s, said she has always loved dancing, but it took her husband 36 years to get into it with her. Now they take several classes a week together.

Dixon said, “Dancing is kind of like a microcosm of your marriage.”

“All of your communication issues come out in dancing, and you have to deal with them. It’s pretty effective,” she added.

So effective, in fact, that Dixon said she and her husband are able to work through problems together using the tools they learn in class — patience is key.

“The best thing is that our marriage is better. We go out and enjoy ourselves more, and I have a lot more energy,” she said.

Classes • City of College Station Parks and Recreation Department offers Ballroom Dance on Tuesdays, April 5–26, 6:30–8 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Ashley teaches the basics of all of the traditional ballroom styles: waltz, fox trot, tango, cha cha and rumba. No partner necessary. Join any time. Register at rectrac.cstx.gov.

• Susan’s Ballroom Dance Studio offers Ballroom and Latin Basics classes each month and hosts a dance party once a month.

No partner required. Anyone is welcome to check out the studio and participate in their first class for free. Other classes offered include intermediate and advanced levels, as well as beginning and intermediate Country Western. Check out the calendar at www. susansballroomdance.com or call 979-690-0606.

Free open house: April 8 and May 13, 7:30 p.m., in conjunction with the monthly dance party. A 30-minute lesson begins at 7:45 p.m., and basic steps to basic dances are taught throughout the evening. Dance, learn, mingle and enjoy refreshments. Attendees can sign up for the summer special: any four-week class free with the purchase of another four-week class.

• Brazos Ballroom Dance Studio welcomes anyone to check out the studio and participate in their first class for free. No partner required. Several beginner classes are offered each month in different styles, as well as a Saturday Night Dance Party. Other classes offered include Dance Chi, which focuses on slow dance movements to ballroom music, working on muscle memory and tone, balance and confidence; Ladies Performance and Drills; Salsa Night; Intermediate and Advanced classes. Check the calendar for specific classes and schedules at www.brazosballroomdance.com, or call 979-777-6450.

Free open house and dance social party: June 18 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Visitors can meet new people and learn some new moves.

Dance lessons begin at 7:30 p.m.

April 5, 2016 | 7

The Woman’s Club Home & Garden Tour April 13

15th ANNUAL LET THE SHOW

The Hannigans’ home, at 4713 Heron Lakes in Bryan, will be part of The Woman’s Club Home & Garden Tour on April 13.

The Woman’s Club annual Home & Garden Tour, featuring three Bryan homes, will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 13.

The event, featuring the theme of “Gracious Hospitality,” is a tour of three homes in the new Miramont subdivision on Boonville Road, next to Allen Academy. The large homes range

from a few months old to five years old, and from 8,600 to 13,300 square feet. Each home has its own distinctive style, ranging from Tuscan to French provincial to classic French.

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10 tricks to thwart credit card thieves

Almost half of the world’s credit card theft occurs in this country.

But only about 25 percent of all card transactions occur here (The Nilson Report, July 2015).

Nearly everyone has had a credit card compromised at least once. My credit card information has been stolen at least four times. The irritation is spending the time to update my card TracY Stewart information on the Financial Literacy websites associated with the bills that autopay on my card.

attached to the credit card reader at the gas pump. This skimmer emits a Bluetooth signal to a laptop close by.

In addition to gas pumps, watch for skimmers on ATMs, parking meters and vending machines.

Hackers and phishers go after your credit card information with software and malware. The hacker gets into a legitimate website with weak security.

When you visit that site, malware downloads to your computer. The hacker can then access your personal data. The phisher uses malware to get into your computer with a link on a tempting email, then captures your data.

How they steal your information Credit card thieves don’t have to pick your pocket or steal your wallet.

They can get your card information in more efficient ways.

Skimmers come in two flavors. One is the ice-cube skimmer. The waiter takes the card away to create the credit card slip. With an ice cube-sized skimmer, the crook can swipe your data while your card is out of your sight. This tiny skimmer is probably the one that lifted my card data in a reputable Houston restaurant a few years ago. One hour later, someone was using my card to buy tires in Dallas.

My card issuer called me, knowing that I couldn’t drive fast enough to get from Houston to a Dallas tire store in under an hour.

The other skimmer flavor is

What happens to your information?

The front-line thief will get $5 to $10 per card to sell your information online. A wholesaler buys the information, verifies it and sells it to other thieves who create fraudulent credit cards using your account information. Another level of thieves buy the cards to use for purchases like stereos, tires and baby formula. They then sell the goods to consumers.

Thwarting the thieves The more effective you are at thwarting thieves, the less time you’ll need to waste updating your replacement card information online.

1. Set up mobile alerts from your credit card issuer.

2. Monitor your credit card activity regularly online.

3. Do not use public computers.

4. Start using that new credit card you received with the chip in it. That is a teeny tiny computer chip that is extremely difficult to counterfeit. The regular magnetic-stripe cards are much easier to reproduce.

5. But leave the “Please Activate” sticker on your new cards. Thieves know that a card has to be activated from the phone number associated with the card account. They may steal your other cards, but usually leave behind the cards with the activation stickers.

6. Stick to established websites.

Do not buy from unfamiliar online vendors.

7. If you learn of a compromise, set up a fraud alert on your credit report.

Notify your credit card issuer, if they have not contacted you first.

8. Go paperless and get copies of your statements online.

9. Sign your credit card with a Sharpie. This cannot be erased and fraudulently signed.

10. Shred, shred, shred. This includes anything that shows any part of a number, name or address, including credit card receipts.

I receive a replacement card. Most of my bills are paid with autopay to credit cards. I have to update all the vendor websites for every replacement card. Irritated with the wasted time, I created a routine for streamlining my update process.

I have a spreadsheet with all the information I need to quickly make the updates. When I get the new card, I plan when to activate and update so that I have a window of a few days before any auto-pay comes through.

My spreadsheet includes several bits of information for each vendor.

• Day of the month the autopay hits my card (5th, 14th, etc.)

• Approximate amount of the monthly bill ($199 or high estimate if it varies).

• Payee name (Liberty Health Share, State Farm, etc.)

• Date of change (the date I updated the credit card data on the payee website).

• Changed to (new expire date, last few digits of the new card number, etc.)

• Notes (“changed online” or “changed with an agent phone call”).

Streamlining your credit card switch over It seems I am always updating credit card information; usually because

Contact Tracy B. Stewart, CPA, PFS, CFF, CDFA, CFP® at www.

TexasDivorceCPA.com.

Stolen credit card data is part of life now. Hopefully some of these tips will help reduce the stress we cannot avoid.

Home & Garden Tour from page 8

The three homes are: • 5104 Inverness Dr. – owned by Kenny and Cathleen Eaves.

• 4705 Miramont Circle – owned by Tom and Cyd Kelly.

• 4713 Heron Lakes Circle – owned

by Ray and Patricia Hannigan.

Tickets are $15, and may be purchased early from a Woman’s Club member or at The Woman’s Club office, at 1200 Carter Creek Parkway in Bryan, or the day of the event at one of the homes.

For more information, call 979822-5019.

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Photos contributed by The Woman’s Club

The Kellys’ home, at 4705 Miramont Circle, and the Eaves’ home, at 5104 Inverness Drive, are part of The Woman’s Club Home & Garden Tour on April 13. The tour will feature three homes in the Miramont subdivision in Bryan.

April 5, 2016 | 9

CALENDAR Ongoing Sit and Fit Chair Exercises - Seniors meet at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from noon to 1 p.m. Gentle workout while sitting in a chair. Features fat-burning aerobics and weight lifting. For more details, contact 979-7646351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Line dance workshop for beginners – Seniors are invited to a free line dance workshop for beginners, held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the first, second and third Monday of each month, at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Learn the steps and terminology. No registration necessary. Contact 7646351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

Line Dancing - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, holds line dancing for seniors on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Low impact workout, to the hottest tunes. For more information, contact 979-764-6351, 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Classic Country and Bluegrass Jam Session – Bluegrass Jam Session is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. All levels welcome. Bring string instruments and a friend.

Open to all who like to listen to or play this kind of music. For more details, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Friday Bridge - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, offers bridge for seniors on Fridays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Learn how to play 42 dominoes - Learn the game of 42 every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov for more information.

42 dominoes - Seniors meet every Thursday to play 42 at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more details, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Bible study – Bible study is held for seniors at 9:15 a.m. every Thursday at Lincoln Center, 1000 Eleanor St. in College Station. Contact 979-7643779 or awilliams@cstx.gov for more information.

Maj Jongg - Seniors interested in learning the game will meet at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station on Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact 764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Game Night - Seniors are invited to Game Night from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Southwood Community

Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Table games and dominoes provided or bring your own favorite game. Meet friends and enjoy a fun game night. For more information contact 979-7646371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Forevercise - Forevercise is a free exercise class for seniors offered on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 1:30 – 3 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Class offers individuals healthy lifestyle practices with helpful tips on nutrition and exercise. Exercises are mainly done while sitting in a chair. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-7646371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Dominoes - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays dominoes all day on Tuesdays and Fridays and from noon to closing Wednesdays. Sack lunch for those playing dominoes from 11:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. For more details: 979-822-6873/www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Bridge – Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Bridge from 12:30 p.m. until closing on Tuesdays; noon to closing on Thursdays; and 12:20 p.m. to closing Fridays. Partner needed Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more details: 979-822-6873 or www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Games - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays board games, Scrabble and other card games on Tuesdays. For more details: 979-822-6873/www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Bible study - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, holds Bible study 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, call 979-822-6873 or visit www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Exercise class - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, holds exercise class 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays.

For more details, call 979-822-6873 or visit www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Bingo - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Bingo 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays. For more details: 979-822-6873 or www.brazoscountyseniorcitizens. weebly.com.

Canasta - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Canasta from 11:30 a.m. to closing on Thursdays.

For more details, call 979-822-6873 or visit www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Potluck luncheon - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, has a potluck luncheon 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

1 0 | April 5, 2016

Fridays. For more, call 979-822-6873 or visit www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

One-on-one computer help - 6 to 8 p.m.

Mondays and Saturdays at Larry J. Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy. S. in College Station.

Contact the Reference Desk to schedule a 30-minute session, at 979-764-3416. For more information, visit www.bcslibrary.org.

Free Beginning Bridge Class - All seniors 55 and older who would like to learn the game of bridge are invited to join every Wednesday in March from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Southwood Community Center.

To register call 979-764-6351 or email mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

April 5 Senior World Passport Program: World Cultures – Free program for seniors held by Texas A&M Public Partnership and Outreach and College Station Parks & Recreation Department.

Presentations on different world cultures at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, from 10 -11 a.m. No preregistration needed. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx. gov.

April 6 Computer Club for Seniors: “Trouble Shooting” - The Computer Club is open to all seniors interested in learning more about the computer world.

Meetings are held at Carter Creek Training Room at 2200 North Forest Parkway in College Station starting at 9:30 a.m. No pre-registration needed. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-7646371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

April 12 Computer 101 Class - Learn basic computer skills and how to use the Internet and e-mail. Class is offered on Tuesday and Thursdays, April 12-21, from 9-10:30 a.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Cost is $45. To register visit rectrac.cstx.gov or call 979764-3486.

Computer 102 Class - Basic computer skills required. Class offers instruction on tool bar functions, formatting documents, use of picture tools, printers and more. Class meets on Tuesday and Thursdays, April 12-21, from 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie

See Calendar page 11 T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Calendar

from page 10 Road in College Station. Cost is $45.

To register visit rectrac.cstx.gov or call 979-764-3486.

Community Classroom 101: “Understanding your Medications” Monthly health education sessions are offered by Angels Care Home Health.

Nurses speak on a variety of topics at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, from 10-11 a.m. No registration necessary. Open to all adults 55 and older. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

April 14 Free Seminar:“Medicare Preventative Services” - Monthly education seminars are offered at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, from noon-1 p.m. No registration necessary. Open to all seniors. For more information call 979-764-6371 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov.

764-6351 or email mrodgers @cstx. gov for more information.

older. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Exploring History Luncheon: “The Millican Riots – 1868” - The College Station Historic Preservation Committee and the College Station Parks and Recreation Department present monthly lectures with lunch on the history of the community.

Luncheons are held at Aldersgate Church, at 2201 Earl Rudder Freeway S. in College Station. A reservation is necessary for lunch; the cost is $5.

Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Speaker will begin at noon. RSVP by the Friday before the luncheon at 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

April 25 Senior Advisory Committee meeting - Committee meets on the last Monday of each month at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station at 10 a.m. For more information call 979-764-6371 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov.

April 29 Bingo & Birthday Celebration - Join on the last Friday of each month from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, for Bingo and cake, to celebrate birthdays for the month. No registration necessary.

Call 979-764-6351 for more information.

April 21 Free Movie and Popcorn: “Bridge of Spies” - Adults 55 and up are invited to enjoy a free movie and popcorn at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Movie begins at 1 p.m.

Contact Southwood Community Center at 979764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

Spring Dance - Enjoy an evening of dancing for free with a live DJ from 7-9 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. No registration necessary.

Light refreshments served. Call 979-

May 3 Diabetes SelfManagement Program

April 19 Nutrition Education - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers monthly cooking demos with new recipes and food choices for healthy IN-HOME SENIOR CARE SERVICES living. Join other seniors at Lincoln Center, 1000 ® Eleanor St. in College Station, from 10-11 a.m.

For more information, Makes Every Moment Matter contact Annie Williams at Interactive Caregiving® is the unique way our Comfort Keepers® 979-764-3779.

– Free six-week class, offered by the College Station Medical Center, promotes healthy living with diabetes.

Class is held 1-3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays starting May 3, in the auditorium at 1651 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Class teaches: practical ways to deal with pain, fatigue and depression; easier ways to plan meals and read nutrition labels; and better ways to talk to doctors and family members about health. Deadline to sign up is 10 business days before class begins.

Call 979-764-5139.

Comfort is our Specialty.

Trust is our Promise.

Bryan: 979-821-2266 Brenham: 979-277-9525 La Grange: 979-968-6913 Inpatient Facility: 979-821-5030 www.hospicebrazosvalley.org

The Most Important Thing in any Relationship 2015

Interactive Caregiving

April 20 Family History Computer Group: “Ten years between the census” - The group shares an interest in finding family history and storing it on your computer.

Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at Carter Creek Training Room, 2200 N. Forest Parkway in College Station from 9:30-11 a.m.

No registration is required.

Open to adults 55 and

deliver care to our clients. It centers on four interrelated aspects – engagement of the mind, an active body, proper nutrition, and safety. A plan of Care which addresses these aspects, together, will enhance quality of life and ultimately, independence.

SERVICES

Companion Care • Personal Care Light Housekeeping In-Home Safety Solutions

(979) 764-3076

Robert Herring, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology

3091 University Drive East, #410 Bryan, TX 77802 www.listenhearaudiology.com 244 Southwest Parkway East • College Station, TX 77840

w w w. s e n i o r c a r e c o l l e g e s t a t i o n . c o m

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April 5, 2016 | 11

Always here. Always caring.

Always giving you our best.

St. Joseph is now CHI St. Joseph Health.

For 80 years, St. Joseph has cared for the people and families of the Brazos Valley.

From times of emergency and illness to times of great joy and healing, we’ve always been here for you, always caring and always giving you our best through all of life’s moments.

We’re proud to have joined the Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) family of more than 100 hospitals nationwide in leading the way to healthier communities for us all.

With renowned surgeons like Dr. Bryan Parrent, rest assured our promise of being here to care for you and your loved ones will continue...as always.

Always.CHIStJoseph.org 1 2 | April 5, 2016

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